TWO Kidderminster care homes have been told they need to improve following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

As part of their routine programme of inspections, the CQC visited Honeybrook House, in Honeybrook Lane, in late March, and Brook Court, in Oldnall Road, in late April, to look at whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

The CQC’s report on Honeybrook House, published this month, found people did not always receive their medicines “as prescribed”, while people were not always “protected against risk of having their liberty withheld” and systems to monitor quality of services didn’t always identify where improvements were needed.

However, the home did receive good ratings for its caring and response sections of the inspection.

The report states: “Throughout our inspection we saw staff provide care and support for people in a kind and caring way.

“Staff were seen to give people the time they needed and supported them appropriately. We saw people smiling and holding staff by the hand white they provided support such as when they walked around the home.

“People told us they were able to participate in different interests and hobbies. During our inspection we saw people involved in activities which were of interest to them.”

A spokesman from Honeybrook House said: “We welcome their comments that the service is caring and responsive and are very pleased by the positive feedback from the people we support and relatives.

“Following the inspection we immediately implemented a detailed action plan to address areas where improvement was needed, including providing additional staff training and enhancing our recording keeping processes to ensure consistently high standards are maintained.

“We have also made significant financial investment in a refurbishment programme. Our priority will always be the well-being, safety and health of the people we support.

“We look forward to demonstrating the improvements we have made at our next inspection.”

The CQC’s report on Brook Court – a Care UK home - also published this month, found staffing arrangements needed to be “fully implemented so that the provider was assured people received safe and effective care”, while people did not always receive support to engage in meaningful activities to meet their personal needs and relatives said “communication could be improved”, and further action was required to ensure changes were embedded and further improvements made in a “timely way”.

However, the home did receive good ratings for its effectiveness and caring sections of the inspection.

The report states: “Staff were able to demonstrate they had sufficient knowledge and skills to carry out their roles effectively and to ensure people who used the service were supported.

“People told us they enjoyed their food and were given a choice of meals and they were supported with drinks throughout the day.

“People and relatives told us people’s privacy and dignity was maintained by caring staff and we made observations that supported this.”

Gill Hallam, Care UK spokesman said: “The inspectors did rate two of the themes they looked at in this home as good and a lot of their report demonstrates positive reflections of the care delivered.

“However, I accept that there are some areas that need a little attention and we are already busy implementing a plan to put those things right.

“We are reviewing shift patterns to make sure that there are more people available at busy times and the suite for residents with dementia is being decorated. When complete, this suite will include themed reminiscence areas including one with a sports theme, another with gardening and a lovely area designed to look like an old fashioned children’s nursery.

“We are also recruiting an additional team member with a remit to provide more activities in the late afternoon when, at the moment, there are fewer things to do going on in the home.”

To read the CQC reports for Honeybrook House and Brook Court in full, visit cqc.org.uk.